Weeklong silence retreat at The Art of Living Retreat Center

Press release from The Art of Living Retreat Center:

Celebrating Silence with the Guru of Joy

Are you aware of the restlessness of your thoughts? If you watch your mind, you will see that it jumps from one subject to another, never standing still. The mind is always busy, too often with trivialities. One moment you might be thinking one thing, and the next moment thinking about something else. This is a deeply embedded habit that constantly distracts the mind and prevents it from focusing on one thing at a time.

A number of years ago the National Science Foundation, USA estimated that our brains produce about 50,000 thoughts per day! As for regular life, what’s disturbing about these 50,000 thoughts per day is that the vast majority of them do not make any sense. We often dwell in the past or the future, obsessing about regretting for mistakes we might have made, battling guilt, grumbling, complaining or planning ahead or worrying. We are constantly drifting into fantasy, fiction and negativity. This is the nature of our mind; the “Monkey Mind” – jumping from one bush to other, one tree to the other!! And if you would have tried to stop this monkey mind, it surely does the opposite. That is the second characteristic of the mind – Whatever you resist, it persists!!! If you say, “Don’t think.” It will think even more! How frustrating this becomes!

When we have between 50,000-70,000 thoughts per day, this means between 35 and 48 thoughts per minute per person. The steady flow of thinking is a thick filter between our thoughts and feelings, our head and heart. The constant mental traffic prevents us from seeing clearly, listening deeply, and feeling our well of being.

Sometimes, this endless flow of thoughts is so tiring and exhausting, especially when you are anxious or worried. It creates so much of stress. Sometimes, in order to draw the attention away from these thoughts, people drink, take drugs, or engage themselves in hobbies or in various activities, but this isn’t the right solution. Taking time to nurture the silence of our mind, learning the skills to stop this chattering of mind and bringing the mind to present moment is the way.

Just think how much energy and time you could have saved, if you could reduce the number of your thoughts.

Just think how much better focus you could possess, if thoughts did not bother you.

Just think how much inner peace, calmness and happiness you would have enjoyed, if there was a way to stop all these thoughts, which add nothing to your life.

Rest in your Infinite Nature: Week long Silence Retreat with the Guru of Joy!

The practice of silence – of consciously withdrawing our energy and attention from outer distractions – has been used in different traditions throughout time as a pathway to physical, mental, and spiritual renewal. By learning and practicing various techniques specifically designed to take us beyond our usually active minds, we experience an extraordinary sense of peace and renewed vitality that we carry home with us and into daily lives.

The Art of Living Retreat Center will host its summer special Week long Silence Retreat from July 6-13. The Silent Retreat is designed by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, popularly known as the Guru of Joy. In his own words, “Meditation is the journey from movement to stillness, sound to silence. Some questions can be answered only in Silence. Silence is the goal of all answers. If an answer does not silence the mind it is “no” answer. Thoughts are not the goal in themselves. Their goal is Silence. When you ask the question “Who am I?” you get no answer, there is silence. That is the real answer. For your soul is solidified silence. This solidified silence is wisdom, is knowledge.”

As world-renowned humanitarian leader, meditation pioneer, spiritual teacher and an ambassador of peace, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has rekindled the traditions of yoga, meditation and Ayurveda and offered them in a form that is relevant to the 21st century. As an enlightened master, beyond reviving ancient wisdom, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has created new techniques for personal and social transformation. His vision of a stress-free, violence-free society has united millions of people around the world through service projects and courses offered by The Art of Living, the foundation which he formed about 33 years ago, currently having its presence in more than 150 countries.

Art of Living Retreat Center set in the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains offering a peace-filled getaway to one and all. It is a perfect place to host the Silent Retreat where the silence outside, in the forest and on the mountain, help one to go deeper inside and discover the beauty within. The calm and serene mountains naturally helps one to unwind, relax and rejuvenate.The retreat center is just three miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway, America’s favorite Scenic Highway, and a short distance from Blowing Rock and Boone.

We have a side of us that’s full of unshakable confidence, joy and peace. The Silent Retreat helps us uncover this “enlightened side” and make it a part of our daily lives. Open to everyone age 18 and above, this true vacation starts with the cleansing Sudarshan Kriya breathing technique of our flagship Art of Living Happiness Program and then moves on to silent observation and advanced meditations of the Art of Silence Retreat – for a life changing blissful experience. Taking a few days off to enjoy yoga, blissful meditation, the healthy vegetarian food in one of the most serene places of the world. It’s no wonder that many participants refer to it as the ideal vacation for body, mind, and spirit. This is a perfect opportunity to rejuvenate from the stresses and strains of the year and emerge renewed for the year ahead.

As a special feature, deep meditations will be led in-person by Sri Sri. Take advantage of this rare opportunity at the Art of Living Retreat Center to spend the holiday diving deep into yourself in Sri Sri’s peaceful presence.

What to expect at the Silent Retreat…

Wisdom and Q&A with Sri Sri

Daily yoga at sunrise

Unique guided meditations

Powerful breathing techniques

Soul-stirring ‘kirtan’ music

Breathtaking scenic beauty

Fresh, delicious, vegetarian meals

And much more…

What could be a better opportunity to go beyond your usually active mind and experience an extraordinary sense of peace and renewed vitality than this!

Bring the whole family… and unwrap your inner joy together!

Looking to the needs of different age groups, customized Programs like YES! – Youth Empowerment Seminar (For ages 14–17), ART Excel (For ages 8–13) and CHILD CARE (FOR AGES 4-7) will also be offered along with the Silent Retreat.

“Ayurveda and Yoga for Optimum Health” conference – 4-6 July

The week-long Silent retreat will be preceded by “Ayurveda and Yoga for Optimum Health” Conference on July 4-6. This event promises to be the region’s premiere holistic wellness conference of the summer. We invite you to join us and not miss out on this opportunity to discover a wealth of knowledge and experience. This will be inaugurated by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and many world renowned speakers like David Frawley, Mother Maya Tiwari, Yogi Amrit Desai and many more will be presenting their original thoughts.

More information about The Art of Living can be found on its website – www.artoflivingretreatcenter.org

– Dr Sejal Shah, Happiness Program and Sri Sri Yoga Teacher at Art of Living